Our readers still reacting to K.J. Bentley's death

A message written by many students express their feelings on a memorial set up outside the classroom of English teacher and former Irvine High wrestler Kent Bentley, 46, was known as Coach K.J. to students, who collapsed in his classroom during Monday's lunch period at Woodbridge High and died. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Friends, students and those whose lives were touched by K.J. Bentley are continuing to remember the late Woodbridge wrestling coach and English teacher who died on Monday after collapsing in his classroom.

Woodbridge's football game with Segerstrom Thursday night was played but it was moved from 7 to 7:30 at Segerstrom to allow the football players to attend the service if they want, said Athletic Director Alan Dugard.

Some of the football players also wrestled for Bentley or had him as a teacher, Dugard said.

"I expect we'll pack the place," Dugard said last week.

Another family friend, Andrea Kustin-Mager, a retired Irvine High teacher, pointed out that Bentley is also survived by his parents, Kent and Joan Bentley, his sister Tami and his grandmother Alberta.

"They were an inspiration to him," Kustin-Mager wrote in an email today.

Here some of the comments about Bentley sent to us in the past two days, along with a couple from earlier in the week.

Zack Feigenbaum:

"I saw your article in the Register and figured I can tell you what I knew of KJ. I wrestled all four years of high school and became a senior in that league-winning year of 2007.

First off, I would have left the first month if it wasn't for Mr. Bentley. Most wrestling coaches we came across were rather irate fellows, and some not in a particularly constructive way. Don't get me wrong, Bentley would holler until his lungs gave out, but usually in joy and never in anger.

"On this subject I have a quite beaming memory of my first match on the varsity team. Unlike most kids on our squad I had my very first varsity match senior year. So this, as my varsity debut, kept my expected ability at the varsity level a mystery to me and most everyone else. "No need to worry though," I told myself originally, "Since I am in a heavier weight class, when they call my match, the game between our teams should to be basically decided. Therefore my own potential loss cannot hurt our team's chances as much." It turned out to be basically the opposite case.

"The game was anyone's and and the swelling in our chests came directly from the match and dissipated outward through our fans. Never had anything of this level been in my hands before. I will absolutely never forget the simple words Mr. Bentley told me, "Zack--if you get pinned, we lose. If you pin, we win. Do your best". Calm and honest, exactly what I wanted to hear. And whadd'ya know? I pinned that guy and every other guy in our league. The mystery guy at 189 all of a sudden became Ol' Reliable!

"I like that story of me and Mr. Bentley and I can drag up more just as easily. A quick one:

First week, freshman year.

"Mr. Bentley is teaching us freshies some of our first wrestling moves when a varsity 189 pounder walks ever so slyly towards our Coach. Before we know it he grabbed Bentley from behind, and attempted to take him down. I was very curious if this man actually was a good wrestler, after all I had never seen him wrestle. I saw a glint in his eye just as the varsity guy pulled him back. His chin was stiff, and I remember now that he was smiling.

With some very fancy legwork that I would later steal for my varsity years, Mr. Bentley had brought the juggernaut down using mostly his calves. "Get back to running.," he said after letting him back up. And he did, also smiling.

With Tremendous Love for Mr. Bentley and his family,

Zack Feigenbaum."

Deniz Ari:

"I am writing a brief yet sufficient thought on the memory of Coach K.J. Bentley:"He was the type of coach that could look at you and the intensity of his stare could motivate you to win your wrestling match even if your opponent was a professional."He was the type of man who I am extremely honored to have volunteered alongside. "Denial is a phase of the grieving process that is believed to be temporary. But I don't believe in that because I know that he watches over us."Sincerely and with Pain,Deniz AriWHS League Champion 1996WHS Volunteer Assistant Coach 2004-PresentCalifornia State Fullerton Club Wrestling Team Member in Good Standing."

Sage Munguia:

"Hi, My name is Sage Munguia. I graduated from Woodbridge High School in 2009, and Mr. Bentley was my first high school English teacher. He was the most dedicated man I have ever met, and had the privilege to know. He cared deeply about his sport (wrestling), and had been wrestling ever since he was a kid. He would always talk about the new best he would make with his "boys" like bleaching his hair if they were to make it to CIF.

"He was by far my favorite teacher in high school. His projects always allowed us (his students), to express fully our thoughts and ideas. Reading To Kill A Mockingbird with him was one of my fondest and most incredible memories of Woodbridge. I remember always passing through the halls of the English building, especially since my locker was conveniently located close to his classroom, and hearing him and Mr. Alexander laughing through the hallways. Mr. Alexander was his best friend, also a great English teacher from what I heard. Freshman year ended, and I was frightened for who I would get for sophomore English.

"I made sure it was Mr. Bentley. I was mortified when I found out he only taught up to Sophomore level English. I regret not always telling Mr. Bentley how much I appreciated how he taught us. He was a tough brave man, he brought charisma to teaching English lessons, ones I will never forget. My younger sister attends Woodbridge as a senior this year, and she listens to my bragging of the idol Mr. Bentley. I'm sad my other two sisters won't get to experience Woodbridge as I did since Mr. Bentley is no longer there. This man will never be forgotten, and his beautiful family whom he adored should know this man never let them down.

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